Clothes-pounder.



PATENTED SEPT. 17, 1907.

No.866,120. Y

J. FLEMING. CLOTHES POUNDER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12. 1907.

29 5 VINVENTOR 1n: NORRIS Psrzns ,co.. WASHINGTON, o. c

UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFICE.

JAMES FLEMING, OF MIDDLETON, GEORGIA.

CLOTHES-POUNIDER.

Application fled June 12,

Specification of Letters Patent.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I JAMES FLEMING, a citizen of the United States,residing at Middleton, in the county of Elbert and State of Georgia,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clothes-Founders,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to clothes poundcrs and particularly contemplatesthe provision of a novel and useful structure of this character in.which the clothes may be thoroughly cleaned, and in which the dirt whenremoved will be prevented from again entering the material.

An object of my invention is to provide Within the ordinary cone base ofthe clothes pounder, a circular strengthening strip.

The further object of my invention is the provision of an improvedrelief valve, with novel and convenient means for actuating the same torelieve the suction within the cone base on the upward movement of thesame from the water.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be hereinafter fullydescribed with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the figureis an elevation partly in the section of a clothes pounder structure inaccordance with my invention.

In the practical embodiment of my invention 1 provide a clothes poundercomprising the handle portion 1, to the lower end of which is attachedthe ordinary cone base 2, the said cone 2 being provided according to myidea, with an internal circular gTOOXG formed at 3 therein for thereception of the upper conformable edge 4 of the tubular piece 5,soldered therein and forming a support therefor. The cone base 2 isfurther provided with an air tube 6 extending upwardly from the facethereof substantially parallel with the reduced neck portion '7 attachedto the handle 1. The air tube 6 is flared at the upper outer end to forma valve seat 8 for the reception of a valve 9 seated downwardly therein.

' The pair of rigid supporting collars are preferably secured upon thehandle 1, the upper collar 10 being arranged to support therein anoperating bell-crank-lever l1 pivotally mounted and connected to thevalve 9 by means of a connecting rod 12, in such manner that from themovement of said. lever 1] toward the handle I the valve 9 will beraised from its seat. The lower collar 13 is arranged to support a rigidguide plate 14 through l which. the connecting rod 12 is slidinglyarranged, and between which and the valve 9 is mounted a coil spring 15for normally holding said valve upon its seat within the air pipe 6.

The operation of the device is apparent, it being a well known fact thatthe suction caused by the upward movement of the pounder within thewater and material, is often the cause of relodging the dirt in theclothes after the same has been pounded therefrom.

In the construction provided by my invention it will be seen that uponthe downward stroke the air will pass out of tube 6 through valve 9, andupon the upwari'l stroke the valve is h old open by manual pressure uponthe bell-crank-levcr 11, to move the same against handle 1 and tothereby lift the valve from its scat.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim: The combination in aclothes pounder comprising a cone base having an air tube extendingupwardly therefrom andl'crmed at its upper end with a valve seat, of ahandle connected to and extending upwardly from said cone base adjacentsaid air tube, a manually operable lever carried by said handle, a valvearranged to be seated upon said seat in said air tube, connectionsarranged between said operating lever and said valve, and means fornormally holding said valve upon its seat substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JAMES FLEMING.

Witnesses I Janus UcIN'rosu, II. A. IiUlGIlUCK.

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